We, the undersigned citizens of South Carolina, hereby petition the Governor and General Assembly of the State of South Carolina to enact appropriate legislation to permit licensed physicians to prescribe marijuana, and to ensure a safe and affordable supply of marijuana for medical use.

WHEREAS, Scientific and medical studies by the National Academy of Science have shown marijuana to be a safe and effective medicine for the treatment of glaucoma, epilepsy, muscle spasticity, arthritis, anxiety, depression, the symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol and narcotics, and the nausea, vomiting and appetite loss associated with chemotherapies; and

WHEREAS, The State of South Carolina legally recognized the medicinal value of marijuana in 1980 (South Carolina Controlled Substances Therapeutic Research Act of 1979); and

WHEREAS, South Carolina polls indicate that 71\% of respondents believe drug abuse should be addressed with treatment rather than incarceration (Global Strategy Group, 2002); and

WHEREAS, National polls indicate that at least 70\% of United States citizens support medical marijuana when prescribed by a physician (AARP, Time Magazine, Gallup); and

WHEREAS, The billions of dollars spent prosecuting and imprisoning sick people in South Carolina and across the nation could be better spent on programs emphasizing treatment, education and rehabilitation; and

WHEREAS, Compassion and common sense demand that we allow America's seriously ill citizens to use whatever medication is most safe and effective according to their doctors to alleviate their pain and suffering;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Governor and General Assembly of the State of South Carolina enact appropriate legislation to permit marijuana to be prescribed by licensed physicians and to ensure a safe and affordable supply of marijuana for medical use.

For more information on the SC Medical Marijuana Movement, please visit: